STARLOG!If there was a case of serendipity in magazine publishing, this may be a classic case. If memory serves, the first issue, in 1976, was meant as a one-shot deal, spotlighting the growing Star Trek phenomenon (which had exploded by this point due to syndication and sci-fi conventions):

But the publishers happened to pick a great time to start such a magazine. The sales exceeded all expectations and it seemed foolish not to continue the magazine (it was pretty well done, also, at least to these teen-age eyes):

And so the magazine kept going. And going. And going.It mixed sci-fi films and TV of the time in equal measure, with some historical pieces thrown in. I found the early issues to be a great read. They included episode guides on Star Trek &Space:1999, the only place to get such info back then (no internet).

Around the 4th issue, sci-fi writer David Gerrold started a regular column, musing on various subjects. I found most of his musings, to be frank, less than thrilling, but he did manage to anger the writers ofLogan's Runat one point by criticizing the whole concept & story.

Starlog was canceled not long ago, as 2009 began, with the 375th issue and the plan was to continue as a web only publication, but I dunno how that worked out. I'll have to check into that.

STARLOG! The 6th issue spotlightedDESTINATION MOON (1950) and featured a famous shot of the rocket on the moon, on the cover.By the 7th issue, the new filmSTAR WARS arrived in theaters and set the tone for sci-fi films, for good or bad, for the rest of the century.The magazine featured an extensive article on the George Lucas film and, even at this early stage, with the film just in theaters the previous month, everyone seemed to know there was a special excitement about this one, that it just might be making film history. But there was also a new column by Susan Sackett, The STAR TREK Report, keeping fans apprised of the 1st draft completed screenplay for a planned new Trek film. The 8th issue focused on stop-motion animation; Harryhausen was still working then.

THIS ISLAND EARTH! That was issue #15, seen below, after all these (#9 - #14):and here is the one with THIS ISLAND EARTH on the cover:Here are the interior stills / articles for issue #15, featuring THIS ISLAND EARTH: